Austria, 2013

I thank the President for

raising for discussion at this year’s general debate

a very pertinent subject, namely, “The post-2015

development agenda: setting the stage”. Shaping our

planet’s future after 2015 is indeed a crucial task ahead

of us, as Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon described

very impressively in his presentation this morning (see

A/68/PV.5). While we remain fully committed to the

full implementation of the Millennium Development

Goals, the post-2015 agenda has started.

One idea that has caught my particular attention is

to upgrade the eradication of hunger from an indictor

to a goal in that new agenda. More still needs to be

done, and everyone must contribute a fair share: States,

international organizations, the private sector, academia

and civil society alike. Let me assure the Assembly that

Austria will contribute its share as well.

The international community currently faces major

threats in its search for global security. The Middle

East remains exposed to fundamental challenges. We

welcome the agreement reached between the United

States and the Russian Federation on a framework for

the destruction of the Syrian chemical weapons arsenal.

We believe that the Security Council should refer the

situation in Syria to the International Criminal Court.

Accountability is, and remains, necessary to stopping

the atrocities and prevent future crimes.

The path to democratic participation and a new

beginning in Syria — the actual goal of the civilian

protests that started two and a half years ago — remains

crucial. Unfortunately, the parties seem to be firmly

set on a military solution to the conflict. However, it

should be clear that the best way to achieve a sustainable

solution can only be a political, negotiated one. That is

the Austrian position.

By now the civil war in Syria is greatly affecting all

neighbouring countries. The conflict is a Syrian one,

but the consequences go far beyond its borders. It has

indeed become international.

The Israeli-Palestinian conflict seems to have

been overshadowed by the upheavals in the region. I

have followed events there for almost 40 years. I am

convinced that what is needed for a solution is the

willingness not only to negotiate in good faith but also

to take into account the needs and sensibilities of the

negotiating partner: the other side. I, for one, cannot

believe that the value of the new settlements to Israel

outweighs the damage they cause by being an obstacle

to peace and reasonable conditions.

We welcome that the new United States

Administration has devoted its full attention to that

long-standing question and that direct negotiations

resumed at the end of July. What we need now is decisive

leadership. We are convinced that a breakthrough in

the central conflict would also mean a decisive step

towards stabilization of the entire region.

While we continue to support the ongoing transition

processes in the Arab world, recent developments

in the region have cast a shadow on the democratic

gains achieved so far. Progress on the difficult path to

democracy will greatly depend upon whether all parts

of society are included.

Vienna and its United Nations headquarters

serve as a platform for the discussion on sustainable

development. Austria is very pleased that the Office of

the Special Representative for the Sustainable Energy

for All initiative in Vienna started its activities on

1 July. We welcome the initiative’s cooperation with

thematic and regional hubs, as well as with other

specialized organizations like the United Nations

Industrial Development Organization.

Austria is also the host country of the newly

established International Anti-Corruption Academy.

This international organization and centre of excellence

has already undertaken several successful activities in

fighting corruption — a major obstacle to reasonable

development in all areas of society. I thank the Kingdom

of Thailand for hosting the second Assembly of Parties,

scheduled to take place in December. Furthermore, I

would like to invite all States that have not yet done so

to become members of the Anti-Corruption Academy.

This year’s Forum of the United Nations Alliance

of Civilizations took place in Vienna in February, with

the forward-looking theme of “Responsible leadership

in diversity and dialogue”. More than 1,500 participants

from Government, civil society, the private sector and

the media, as well as a youth forum of 150 outstanding

and highly dedicated participants, provided most

valuable input for the discussions of the Forum.

In that context, I am also pleased to report that the

King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz International Centre

for Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue was

inaugurated in Vienna on 26 November 2012. The

Centre — a joint initiative of the Kingdom of Saudi

Arabia, the Kingdom of Spain and the Republic of

Austria — serves as an interactive platform for religious

leaders, experts and civil society alike.

Multilateral cooperation can deliver solutions

to global problems. The historic accomplishment of

the Arms Trade Treaty is an important example in

that regard. We look forward to its earliest possible

entry into force. At the same time, the international

disarmament and non-proliferation regime is being

challenged, day after day, by alarming developments.

We were, and still are, deeply shocked by the use of

chemical weapons in Syria. We observe North Korea’s

continued development of nuclear weapons and missile

capabilities with concern. And we have new hope

that the Iranian nuclear issue will be resolved by

negotiations, which, after the election of a new Iranian

President, should be resumed shortly.

Similarly, the continued reliance on nuclear weapons

and the limited progress towards nuclear disarmament

are of great global concern. Nuclear disarmament and

non-proliferation efforts can be achieved only when

they go forward together. Nuclear weapons should be

stigmatized, banned and eliminated. The humanitarian

consequences of nuclear weapons have to be put at the

centre of our attention.

While some might believe that there is a

contradiction between respect for cultural and religious

differences on the one hand and the universality of

human rights on the other, I am convinced that they

reinforce each other. If people and nations can count on

human rights being protected, they will show respect

for the other side.

The Human Rights Council, with its universal

periodic review mechanism and special procedures,

has, within a few years, developed into an effective

instrument to address human rights violations and

crisis situations in many instances. Austria, as a current

member of the Council, is contributing to those efforts

with targeted initiatives for the safety of journalists, the

protection of religious minorities and the promotion of

the rights of the child.

We welcome the continuing trend towards the

universal abolition of the death penalty, which is a

longstanding interest of mine. However, too many

countries still maintain a retentionist policy with regard

to that cruel and inhuman form of punishment. Our

diplomatic efforts therefore have to be reinforced.

We are worried by the increasing number of

human rights violations based on sexual orientation or

gender identity. The 1993 World Conference on Human

Rights in Vienna and the 2005 World Summit firmly

placed human rights at the centre of United Nations

activities. Respect for human rights is an indispensable

prerequisite for peace, security and development.

Last year, the High-level Meeting of the General

Assembly on the Rule of Law provided an excellent

opportunity for us to renew our commitment to the

rule of law at the national and international levels.

The Austrian Government is considering setting up an

Austrian rule-of-law trust fund, designed to support

international actors in strengthening the rule of law

and to offer legal expertise and deploy legal experts

free of charge to developing countries, at their request.

International law and the rule of law are the foundations

of the international system. Austria strongly believes

that only an international system based on the rule

of law can lead to lasting peace, security, economic

development and social progress. Obviously, that is

particularly true for the use of force, which should

occur only in self-defence or when authorized by the

Security Council.

In that spirit, let me confirm that Austria remains

fully committed to an effective United Nations system.

In that connection, I especially want to thank Secretary-

General Ban Ki-moon for his tireless efforts and his

commitment to peace, the rule of law and human rights.